[flickad]

In the partial name of civic compliance (as cats aren't meant to trespass onto neighbouring property in my neck of the woods, but mine do like a little time in the garden when they can get it), I tried this evening to take my cats for their very first walk on a harness. First Melanie, on her own, then Zoe and Phoebe, together. Can we say unmitigated disaster? None of them wanted to be led or constricted and, after I took Phoebe and Zoe out for their turn, I realised I didn't have my wallet or phone and had to use a neighbour's phone to call my mother to come by with the spare key. My mobile phone, as it transpired, was lying in front of my house and my wallet- with all its' keys and everything else- is nowhere to be seen. In the meantime, Zoe freaked out big-time and escaped, harness, lead and all, under the house. She, too, is now nowhere to be seen. I am now unable to see the reflection of her eyes under the house with a torch, she won't respond to calls, the cat food box or the ring-pull in the tuna can. I opened the tuna can in desperation (she knows that sound) but no dice.

No sooner do I get my multiple animal permit than I lose both my wallet and, a squillion times worse, one of my beloved animals.

I want to cry.


Addenum- I can now see her eyes glittering about half way back under the house when I shine a torch, but I can't make her come out. She was pretty scared before and I imagine she must still be. Any suggestions for coaxing her back?

EDIT TWO - Never mind, she's back. Only took her two-and-a-half hours :P. Now all I need is my wallet .

This post has been edited by flickad: 22 February 2009 - 11:18 PM

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[Trifon]

Oh no gosh. well at least you got the most important thing back.... your kitty. I know none of mine have ever liked me putting a harness on them, I only got as far as putting it on them inside and never progressed to walking them in it.

I hope you get your wallet and keys back. Have you cancelled all your cards?

[flickad]

I put a temporary stop on my cards, and about an hour ago found my wallet and keys in the front yard, of all places. They must have fallen out of my bag when I was trying to harness-train the cats. I think we'll be taking the harness-training a little slower from now on.

My cats don't seem to mind the feel of the harness, but they all hate being walked on it. I guess they prefer to walk freely. A cat, it seems, is not a dog .

I was most relieved to get the kitty back, I almost didn't care about the wallet any more after that!

Thank you!

This post has been edited by flickad: 22 February 2009 - 11:16 PM

[Cathy Smooth]

Hi there,
If she hasn't come back in yet, here is a possibility. Last year I was given a false alarm to find my missing Burmese. Someone had seen a Burmese under an abandoned house. It was, like yours, under the house and frightened. I went to the vet and hired a cat trap. It is just a cage with a trap door which closes when the cat comes into it. Just put the cage under the house with food in it. If this freaked out cat came in to eat then yours will for sure. We had the cat (which didn't turn out to be ours but was returned to an ecstatic owner) within a day.
Good luck Cathy

[CatsRU]

Thank God she is back and safe and that you have found your wallet.

Yes indeed cats cannot be led - you just put them on their harnesses and leads and follow them. Take it slowly and one at a time - it will happen.

[Analog6]

Glad you have everything back!

Yes, it takes a long time to get them used to it. I would never try to 'walk' more than one at a time. Walk is a misnomer as it is really follow where the cat wants to go. I taught my Zoe the Himalayan when she was 16 yrs old so it can be done.

I used to carry her out to the rear of the back tard and then follow as she made her way up the yard. Never, ever try to pull the cat the way you want to go, pick her up if she is heading the wrong way.

Here's my Zoe, this was after her 1.5 km, 1 hour walk roudn the headland at Woolgoolga nr Coff's Harbour.

[burmeselover]

I am really glad that your cat is back at home safely.
It is important to get your cat(s) used to the harness and lead indoors before you venture outside. Until you are super confident, I wouldn't be trying to walk two or more cats at the same time. Progress from indoor harness wearing to short walks outside in your backyard where it's safe, then you can venture further afield.
Some cats simply won't enjoy harness walking and you will find that it's safest to keep them indoors.

[Heather Sharada]

I used to carry her out to the rear of the back tard and then follow as she made her way up the yard. Never, ever try to pull the cat the way you want to go, pick her up if she is heading the wrong way.

that's the way to go and as Bronnie said get them well used to the harness indoors.....I am soooo glad that you got her back.....little monkey.

[spd_dmn]

Yep, always the cat takes you for a walk. Never the other way around.

[flickad]

Thanks for the advice and everything else .

[vengeancethecat]

Glad to hear that Zoe is back! There's nothing worst when they go MIA!